Introduction
Children with autism can have developmental issues with any of their senses, including vision. An ASD child may have 20/20 vision, but may also have hand/eye coordination difficulties which result in developmental vision delays. Various signs of vision issues may include: poor reading comprehension, inability to read, behavioral problems, inability to look at objects, speech and language delays, short attention span, letter reversal, and poor memory. Behavioral Optometrists are specially trained optometrists who offer vision therapy for older children and prism eye glasses for younger children who are unable to do vision therapy.
VT is an important therapy that may improve attention and comprehension. This is especially true for those with limited language skills and severe auditory processing issues. Higher functioning children on the spectrum may find that VT can make the difference between being in a special needs classroom or a regular classroom.
Related Sites
Vision and Conceptual Development Center Description: The Vision and Conceptual Development Center offers a broad array of vision therapies geared toward children and adults. Each patient receives his or her own individualized, custom-made program. This is developed by the VCDC optometrist and provided one-to-one to the patient by the VCDC vision therapist. They help patients develop the visual skills necessary for success in life.
Pressvision Description: This is the web site of Dr. Leonard Press. Dr. Press has been recognized internationally for his work in the field of learning-related vision problems. He has many patients on the autism spectrum and his web site discusses vision related symptoms and treatments for children with autism.
Books
Tools
Parent Forums/Blogs
Some forums require you to sign in to Yahoo or Facebook to locate forum names.
Forum/Blog Name: Vision_Therapy Description: This Yahoo group for parents, teachers, doctors, and others interested in vision therapy. Vision therapy is performed by behavioral optometrists to treat binocular vision problems such as amblyopia, strabismus, lazy eye, wall eyes, etc.
Forum/Blog Name: Vision Therapy - A Place To Talk About Vision Therapy Description: This club is for all those interested in or doing vision therapy.
Consumer Corner
Community Library
Autism Research Institute: An interview with Melvin Kaplan OD – Vision Therapy for ASD Description: Dr. Kaplan, the grandfather of Vision Therapy, talks about the importance of Visual Management Therapy for the child with ASD. VMT is an individual program that measures, observes, develops and improves visual performance.
Success with Learning Disabilities: Autism Spectrum Disorders and Eyesight Description: Success stories from parents that used vision therapy for their children on the autism spectrum.